Lt. Gov. Delgado ends campaign for New York governor

New York’s Lieutenant Governor Ends Gubernatorial Challenge to Hochul

New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado suspended his campaign for governor on Tuesday, bringing an end to his unusual challenge against his boss, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, as she seeks reelection to a second full term.

Delgado, who had positioned himself as a progressive alternative to Hochul since launching his campaign last summer, acknowledged that the path forward had become increasingly difficult after a series of political setbacks.

“After much consideration, I’ve concluded that there simply is no viable path forward,” Delgado said in a statement released Tuesday. The announcement follows a week that dealt multiple blows to his campaign’s momentum.

The lieutenant governor’s uphill battle became steeper when New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed Hochul last Thursday, providing the governor with crucial support from a prominent figure with significant influence among progressive voters. This endorsement represented a major boost for Hochul’s campaign and undermined Delgado’s effort to position himself as the preferred candidate for the Democratic Party’s left wing.

Further complicating Delgado’s bid, he failed to secure enough support at the state party’s convention to automatically qualify for the Democratic primary ballot. This setback meant he would have been forced to gather signatures through petition drives to appear on the ballot, adding another layer of difficulty to his already challenging campaign.

The lieutenant governor also failed to win an endorsement from the Working Families Party, a significant progressive force in New York politics whose backing would have provided much-needed credibility to his challenge against Hochul.

The unusual dynamic of a sitting lieutenant governor campaigning against the governor created tensions between the two officials, who have reportedly been at odds for months before Delgado’s campaign announcement in June. Throughout his campaign, Delgado argued that New York needed “more progressive, transformational leadership” than what Hochul was providing.

Despite the campaign rivalry, Delgado maintained his official role as lieutenant governor while running against Hochul. In his concession statement, he confirmed he will continue serving in this capacity and supporting Democratic causes.

“Though my campaign has come to an end, I fully intend to do all I can in our effort to build a more humane, affordable, and equitable state that serves all New Yorkers,” Delgado said.

In response to Delgado’s challenge, Hochul had already taken steps to replace him on her reelection ticket. She named Adrienne Adams, the former speaker of the New York City Council, as her new lieutenant governor running mate for the upcoming election.

While Democrats resolve their internal leadership questions, New York Republicans are moving forward with their own gubernatorial nomination. The state GOP is expected this week to nominate Bruce Blakeman, a county official from New York City’s Long Island suburbs and an ally of former President Donald Trump.

Hochul, who assumed office in August 2021 following former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation amid sexual harassment allegations, won her first full term in 2022. Her administration has faced challenges including managing the state’s post-pandemic recovery, addressing housing affordability issues, and navigating the migrant crisis affecting New York City.

Political analysts suggest Delgado’s withdrawal likely strengthens Hochul’s position heading into the election by eliminating a potentially divisive primary battle that could have weakened the party’s unity. The governor can now focus on building her campaign against the Republican nominee rather than defending her record against criticism from within her own administration.